Assistant State's Attorney - Law Enforcement Review Unit (LERU)

Cook-County-State; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office seeks an Assistant State’s Attorney for the Law Enforcement Review Unit (LERU) to review on-duty misconduct by law enforcement in Cook County and determine prosecution readiness. The ASA in LERU prosecutes officer-involved shootings, excessive force, and related offenses, presenting evidence before the grand jury in a vertical prosecution model.

This full-time bargaining unit exempt role reports to the LERU Supervisor, requires a law degree and IL

Qualifications

• Must possess a law degree from an accredited institution and be licensed in Illinois with a minimum of three years of experience.
• Strong research, writing, and oral advocacy skills;
• Willingness to become familiar with Title III, Confidential Overhears, and requirements for obtaining search warrants, particularly for cellular phone data and social media;
• Strong organizational skills with great attention to detail;
• Excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to promote team building and be a self-starter;
• Sound judgment, critical thinking, analytical, and effective time management skills;
• Commitment to applying a vertical prosecution model including long-term investigations and complex trials with multiple crimes and defendants;
• Willingness to be vetted for assignment as a Special United States Attorney and willingness to partner closely with local and Federal law enforcement and Federal prosecutors.

Responsibilities

• Draft internal memoranda summarizing investigations and supporting charging and declination recommendations.
• Work with partners including Chicago Police Department, COPA, ISP Public Integrity Task Force, Cook County Sheriff’s Police, and FBI.
• Be on call for officer-involved shootings and interviews at police stations as needed.
• Remain in the position for a minimum of two years.

Skills

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Research

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Analytical thinking

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Licensed in Illinois

Job description

Should you have any questions concerning:

The Administrative Services Bureau, please call 312-603-1880

or email to [e-mail]

Legal hiring for State Attorneys can be directed to

Welcome to the Cook County State's Attorney Office Job Board. As one of the largest legal services providers in the nation employing over 700 attorneys, we are committed to not only upholding the law and safeguarding the rights of all citizens, but also fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment that reflects the community we serve.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your career, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office provides a wealth of opportunities to make a difference and serve the community. We are looking for dedicated individuals who are passionate about justice, equity, and public service.

Our Job Board is regularly updated with opportunities across a range of roles, from legal and administrative to investigative. Each role is integral to our mission and contributes significantly to our office's effectiveness.

By joining our team, you will be part of a dynamic workforce that values integrity, professionalism, and collaboration. You will have the chance to work on meaningful cases, learn from experienced colleagues, and contribute to creating a safer and more just Cook County.

Explore our current openings below and find where you fit in our mission to pursue justice and serve the public.

To do justice in the pursuit of thriving, healthy, and safe communities.

Our Vision

We're committed to creating a safer, stronger Cook County. That means approaching every case with integrity, demanding accountability, and increasing our presence in the community. Our success is not measured convictions. We believe in doing what's right - fighting for the best, fairest outcomes, whatever form that takes. It's our responsibility to address the historic inequities in our justice system. Everyone deserves a fair shot at justice, regardless of their zip code, paycheck, or the color of their skin.

Assistant State's Attorney - Law Enforcement Review Unit (LERU)

Job Title: ASA, Law Enforcement Review Unit (LERU)

Reports to: LERU Supervisor

Grade/Step: AY3/101 – AY1/101

Salary: $114,879 - $146,970 Salary range is provided by law; however, individual compensation is based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, years and quality of experience. Any salary offered is non-negotiable.

Location: George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse, 2650 South California Ave.

Application Deadline: September 25, 2026

Note: The Cook County State's Attorney's Office does not sponsor H1-B work visa petitions.

Position Description: The Law Enforcement Accountability Division (LERU) is seeking an Assistant State’s Attorney. The Assistant State’s Attorneys in LERU are responsible for reviewing allegations of on-duty misconduct by law enforcement officers throughout Cook County to determine whether criminal prosecution is appropriate. LERU reviews all officer-involved shootings and deaths that occur in police custody, as well as allegations of excessive force, official misconduct, perjury, bribery, theft, obstructing justice, aggravated/reckless discharge of a firearm, and sex offenses. LERU vertically prosecutes all cases resulting in criminal charges and presents evidence and witness testimony before the grand jury. This is a full-time bargaining unit exempt position.

Assistant State’s Attorneys assigned to LERU report directly to the Supervisor of LERU. LERU falls under the First Assistant State’s Attorney, and their cases then are reported directly to the State’s Attorney.

Duties/Requirements:

Assistant State’s Attorneys in LERU are responsible for drafting internal memoranda summarizing investigations and supporting charging and declination recommendations. ASAs in the Unit have the opportunity to work with a variety of investigative partners including the Chicago Police Department, Civilian Office of Police Accountability, Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force, Cook County Sheriff’s Police, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. LERU ASAs will be on call for one week every eight weeks to respond to calls concerning officer involved shootings which may require responding to police stations to interview witnesses and assist with other aspects of the investigation.

Because of the specialized nature of LERU’s work and the time needed to properly train new members of LERU, the selected ASA should expect to remain in the position for a minimum of two years.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess a law degree from an accredited institution and be licensed in Illinois with a minimum of three years of experience. If not licensed in IL, confirm what steps are being taken to become licensed in IL.
• Strong research, writing, and oral advocacy skills;
• Willingness to become familiar with Title III, Confidential Overhears, and requirements for obtaining search warrants, particularly for cellular phone data and social media;
• Strong organizational skills with great attention to detail;
• Excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to promote team building and be a self-starter;
• Sound judgment, critical thinking, analytical, and effective time management skills;
• Must uphold the mission, vision, and values of the Office at all times;
• Commitment to applying a vertical prosecution model including long-term investigations and complex trials with multiple crimes and defendants; and
• Willingness to be vetted for assignment as a Special United States Attorney and willingness to partner closely with local and Federal law enforcement and Federal prosecutors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior criminal law trial experience is a plus but not required.
• Legal writing experience.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) is an equal opportunity employer, which seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The CCSAO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Upon request, the CCSAO will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals due to a disability or pregnancy. The EEOP report can be found on our website at www.cookcountystatesattorney.org.

At Cook County, we believe in investing in you, our valued employee. We understand that your well-being directly impacts the quality of service we provide to our community. That's why we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial stability, and work-life balance. Here's a snapshot of what we offer:

Choose from a variety of medical, dental, and vision plans to best suit your lifestyle and needs. We provide a robust Paid Time Off (PTO) program, including vacation, personal, and sick leave, as well as 13 paid holidays. As a public service employer, our employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Our Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling and referral services to help you navigate life's challenges. And of course, a pension plan through Cook County.